A/N: Just a little thing for anyone who fancies a game, there are a few Exo songs suggested through the chapter~ can you name them all? :)

In fact, the first person to name all the songs correctly gets a small prize (probably karma points, maybe something fic related if you'd rather) ^_^

Color Codes

Suho   Baekhyun   Chanyeol   D.O.   Kai   Sehun   Kris   Xiumin   Luhan   Lay   Chen   Tao

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(Only in this chapter)    Exo's Manager   /   Bus Driver   /   Elderly Gentleman

Arriving at their usual training room, the members of EXO stopped in their tracks as they saw twelve suitcases sitting neatly in pairs of two. Looking around confused, Kai didn’t notice someone trying to enter the training room.

“Aiya! Oh s-sorry manager hyung.”

Stepping aside to let their manager in, Kai welcomed an embrace from Suho as he tried not to show how much the impact from the door hurt his back.

“Now I know you’re probably wondering what’s going on, but first the CEO has asked me to see what you think is going on before I tell you.”

“We’re going somewhere?”

“Correct Kris, do you know where?”

Staring blankly as he had not expected a follow up question, he stepped back shyly as Lay asked almost worried.

“We’re not going on Hello Baby, are we?”

“No, you’re going on holiday. We’ve decided that you deserve a reward for all your recent hard work so we’re sending you away together.”

Instantly chatting happily amongst themselves, Suho leaned back to see past Tao and asked over the noise.

“So why are the bags set out in two’s?”

“Well, you’ll be getting around on a beautiful though modernized 1940’s steam train and the sleeping quarters hold two people each.”

“Where exactly are we going?”

“Sorry Suho, that’s a surprise.”

“Fair enough, who’s dorming with whom?”

Beckoning them to come forward and stand by their bags their manager pointed at the first two bags.

“The first pair is Kai and D.O. and you’ll be in room 1. The second pair is Sehun and Luhan, you’ll be in room 2. The third pair is Baekhyun and Chanyeol, you’ll be in room 3. The fourth pair is Tao and Kris, you’ll be in room 4. The fifth pair is Suho and Lay who’ll be in room 5, which leaves Xiumin and Chen in room 6.”

Quietly pairing off wearing happy smiles, they collected their bags and followed their manager out of the training room. After climbing into the mini bus that was waiting for them, they sat together in their allocated pairs and were chatting about their trip when their manager came on holding something.

“Okay guys, the CEO asked me to make sure you all have a blindfold on before you leave.”

Passing them round before heading off, Sehun called out from the back of the bus.

“Manager hyung, are you not coming?”

“No, while you’re on holiday I get to do improvement exercises. If you need me I’m only a phone call away.”

Watching as he hopped off the bus and headed back inside Kai turned to D.O. and whispered.

“Hyung, will you be okay with the blindfold on?”

“P-promise you won’t move away?”

“I won’t, I promise.”

“Then I’ll be okay.”

Putting on the blindfolds as instructed, D.O. quickly reached for Kai’s hand as all suggestions of light faded away. Unable to resist smiling, Kai gently squeezed the elders hand in reassurance.

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Some time later

Peeking out from under his blindfold at the sleeping D.O. on his shoulder, Kai gently placed a kiss on his forehead and caught the slight smile that appeared on the elders face as the bus pulled to a stop.

“If you like you can take your blindfolds off now.”

Ripping his blindfold off, D.O. blushed as he realized he was leaning on Kai’s shoulder. Squeezing the elders’ hand, Kai smiled and whispered softly.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah... thanks to you.”

Biting his lip shyly Kai paused but before he had a chance to say anything Tao piped up behind them.

“A-are we still in South Korea?”

Looking out the window befuddled by his question, the rest of the members became equally perplexed by the scenery that surrounded them. As the door of the bus swung open and they turned back to see the driver gone and their bags sitting out on the path. Exchanging confused looks they climbed off the bus and collected their bags. Sitting on top of Suho’s bag was a note that read...

“Careless, careless... you have been left by the roadside with no idea where you are. It may seem heartless but as twelve forces combine into one perfect force, can you decipher the clues and find the train to begin your journey.”

Reading it aloud to the other members, Suho looked up from the note to see ten blank stares from everyone but Xiumin.

“Xiumin, any thought’s?”

“I was just wondering if they meant that big tree over there...”

Turning round to see the tree Xiumin was talking about, Suho was slightly surprised to see Kris walk past him bag in hand down the path towards the tree.

“Kris, where are you going?”

“Over to the tree?”

“Why?”

“I-I think Xiumin is right, so the next clue will be there.”

Watching as Luhan, Lay and Chen began following Kris, Suho sighed as he picked up his own bag and joined Lay as the others followed behind them. Ten minutes later they arrived at the tree and found another note.

“You try to find me, the thing you can’t see yet. But follow the snowflake and you’ll soon be able to hear me.”

Looking a little puzzled, Chen stared at the note over Baekhyun’s shoulder.

“So... we follow Bao Zi?”

Pouting as Chanyeol laughed and ruffled his hair, Chen turned to hug Xiumin as he whispered in the younger’s ear. Watching all this while leaning against the tree, the sun re-appeared from behind its cloud and Luhan caught something sparkling high up in the branches.

“Hey look, there’s a snowflake ornament on that branch!”

“But that path runs both ways, which way do we go?”

“Well since it is a snowflake maybe Xiumin should decide.”

Looking up to see the ornament for himself, Xiumin thought for a moment.

“I think we should go right.”

“Care to share your logic?”

“Sure... If you come up the path and look at the tree head on then look at the ornament from that position, which path does it point to?”

“It points to the right path.”

“That’s my logic, does it satisfy?”

“Sounds good to me, what about you Suho?”

“I agree, sounds good.”

Smiling happily Suho headed along the right path closely followed by the other members. After thirty minutes of walking they come to a fork in the road, and lying on the ground is a red leather book with gold filigree detailing.

“Photo album?”

“Is it another clue?”

Opening the album and flicking through the blank pages Sehun stopped on a page with beautiful calligraphy inked onto the centre of the page.

“With one heart, and one sun. You are endlessly becoming stronger as one.”

Showing the page to the other members, they all appeared to be confused by the message.

“What does it mean?”

“It means we go right.”

“How do you know that?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

Smiling as a rose pink colour tinted Lay’s cheeks, Suho took his hand shyly as they headed to catch up with the others.

“Looks like you were right Suho, there’s the train station.”

“Great, I can’t wait to sit down.”

Chuckling softly at Chen’s remark, they headed down the path and onto the platform where an elderly gentleman was standing.

“All aboard! Leave your bags here, you can make yourself comfortable in the dining car. It’s the door on the left.”

Boarding the train as instructed, they quickly filed into the dining car. Taking a booth each in their pairs, they all took the chance to relax and chat.

“This is nice.”

“Yeah, I’m glad we’re finally here.”

“Why?”

“Because... Now I get your undivided attention.”

“Hyung?”

“What?”

“Y-you’ve never acted like this before, it’s a little surprising.”

“Would you rather I went back to hiding it.”

“...No, this is the one time we don’t have to hide how we feel, I don’t want to ruin that.”

Reaching over the table to take the elders hands, Kai couldn’t help the blush that quickly coloured his cheeks.

“You know you’re really cute when you blush.”

“Okay maybe you can reel it back a bit hyung, I’d like to return to a normal colour at some point today.”

“I’m sorry, I’ll work up to stuff like that in future.”

“Thanks hyung.”

“Any time Kai.”

Smiling happily as they gazed into each other’s eyes, they almost didn’t hear the gentleman from earlier come in.

“Your bags have been placed in your rooms, you can stay for dinner or retire for an early night.”

Ignoring the murmurs from the booths around them D.O. turned back to face Kai still smiling.

“What do you want to do?”

“You’re letting me choose? Why?”

“As a thank you for earlier, it meant a lot.”

“I-I’d kinda like an early night.”

“Well then let’s go check out the sleeping quarters, shall we?”

“You can stay and have dinner if you want hyung.”

“I know, but I’d rather spend time with you.”

Following the gentleman through 3 or 4 cars they arrived at their room closely followed by Chen and Xiumin who were quietly discussing the ‘Bao Zi’ incident from earlier. Settling into the room D.O. ped his bag and stared into it deep in thought not realizing Kai was talking to him.

“Hyung? You okay?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah fine, why?”

“Because I was talking to you and you were staring at your bag... it was kind of unnerving actually.”

“Oh sorry, I just... no it’s silly.”

“Come on, you can tell me.”

“W-well, you know how I um...”

Peeking into the bag as the elder stuttered beside him, Kai realized what was going on and hugged D.O. reassuringly as he whispered.

“Hyung, if you like we can leave the lights on tonight.”

“...Really?”

Watching as D.O. began to relax, a booming voice passing outside quickly made him tense again.

“Lights out at 10pm sharp! No exceptions!”

“Well... okay, how about you sleep with me tonight?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well since you don’t have your stuffed toys, just pretend I’m a big teddy bear.”

“You would do that for me?”

“I wouldn’t be a very good boyfriend if I didn’t try to help you now would I?”

“That’s so sweet.”

Leaning in close as if aiming for his cheek, D.O. smiled as he ran his fingers along Kai’s jaw and lifted his chin so their lips met.

“Aw you’re blushing again, was it too soon?”

“N-no I just wasn’t expecting it, I mean it was our first kiss.”

“I know it just felt like it was the right time. I-it wasn’t bad, was it?”

“It was perfect. Come on its ten too, we’d better get ready for lights out.”

Getting ready for bed in shy but comfortable silence, Kai flicked the lights off before climbing into bed. Letting D.O. wrap his arm around his waist Kai could help smiling as he found a comfortable position to fall asleep. After about thirty minutes D.O. had fallen asleep and Kai was just about to drift off himself when the elder tightened his grip on his waist and whispered something that nearly tore Kai’s heart in two.

“Oh Baekhyun...”

Feeling like he had just been kicked in the gut, Kai looked as if all the air had left his body as a single tear rolled down his cheek glistening in the moonlight. Convincing himself that he misheard it, Kai let the tear fall to the pillow as he fell into a nightmare hoping it would end quickly.